The English Teacher

 

14th October 1966 is the date that I can never forget. It was a

Thursday. Sister Agatha was transferred to a convent in a hill

station and a new teacher was to take the class on that day.

Forty-five eager faces anxiously awaited the grand entry of the

new teacher in grade 6 A.

There was a lot of buzz in the class room and each student
wondered if the teacher would be a friendly one or a terror. All
of a sudden, the students saw Sister Xavier, the Head Mistress
walk in with the new teacher in tow. There was pin drop
silence. The new teacher in sky blue dress endeared herself to
the students at first sight. She had a friendly face which
screamed aloud that she was kind. The Head Mistress
introduced the new teacher as Miss Anne, from Pune. She
smiled and then each one of us had to stand up and introduce
ourselves. After the introduction session was over, she told us
to sit with our note books. The chalk monitor gave her a light
blue chalk that went with the color of her dress. In her beautiful
handwriting she wrote the topic for the composition to be
submitted the next morning. The topic was "The Picnicl
Enjoyed the Most." A rough outline of the essay was discussed.
By then the bell rang. The students were all set to impress the teacher.
The teacher went through all the essays, the next day, and
there was a remark for each child. I distinctly remember the
remark on my notebook - I wish I was there at the picnic! My
joy knew no bounds on reading that. Miss Anne's classes were
interesting as we were given different roles to act and an
opportunity to express our views. On March 1, Miss Anne was
absent and she was not to be seen for a week. Another teacher
started teaching us. The whole class felt crestfallen and
marched to the Head Mistress" office to enquire about our
dear English teacher. We were told in a curt manner that she
was going to become a nun and we should not disturb her.
Tears welled up in our eyes and we wept bitterly. More visits
were made to the school chapel to have a glimpse of Miss
Anne, in vain. One day I was lucky enough to have a glimpse of
Miss Anne, in the chapel. Her long hair had been snipped off.
She quickly moved out of sight. That was the last time I saw the 
teacher, I admired the most. I went away to another town and
life moved on. How I wish I could know how she is after all
these years.